Blood Collection Services to Focus on Hospital Patients

Laboratory tests such as hematology blood analysis (blood work) are used to help health care providers diagnose diseases and medical conditions. With 85% of diagnoses based on lab results, the Clinical Laboratory at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRSHC) touches nearly every patient in the hospital.

Like other hospitals across the province, TBRHSC is seeing test volumes increase and has been looking for an approach to manage those volumes. One approach, that has precedence throughout Ontario, will be to focus exclusively on emergency or ambulatory care patients, inpatients, and patients in one of TBRHSC’s programs or services; our core acute care mandate.

TBRHSC is committed to the care of its acute-care, Ministry-funded patients. Focusing lab services increases focus and enhances experiences for our patients at TBRHSC

TBRHSC is not funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for outpatient laboratory services like community based blood collection centres are. When TBRHSC first opened 10 years ago, external community labs were not as accessible as they are today. There is a convenient Lifelabs location right next door!

Patients not connected to one of TBRHSC’s programs or services are asked to go directly to a convenient Lifelabs location. Should you come to TBRHSC, you will be redirected to LifeLabs for your blood testing.
LifeLabs offers:

• A large menu of tests and fast turn-around times
• Online appointment booking
• iLab link application that allows physicians to view test results on a secure internet connection
• Home blood collection services (for residents of Thunder Bay through physician order only)

LifeLabs, an experienced and trusted provider, offers the same leading-edge tests, often with more convenient options for patients such as online appointment booking. Visit them online: www.lifelabs.com/Lifelabs_ON/